4 Common Waterproofing Methods

Every house is a bit different from every other, and the water leakage issues which one house faces in its basement or crawlspace may be completely different from those of its neighbors. That’s why there are a variety of options available for waterproofing solutions, options which generally fit into four broad categories:

Interior Drainage

If the threat to a home is a rising water table, then the simplest solution is to excavate a part of the foundation and install a French drain and a sump pump. A good pump can keep rising water levels at bay so that they won’t flood your basement or crawlspace.

Interior Sealants

This fairly inexpensive option involves sealing cracks with epoxy or else coating the walls with anything from waterproof cement to silicates to a waterproof paint. Still, while it’s much cheaper to seal the inside of your basement than the outside and it’ll do for keeping moisture out, it doesn’t actually protect the walls themselves from water damage. As such, you may end up paying more in the long run for trying to put the leakage problem out of your mind.

Exterior Drainage

This involves digging out the soil around the sides of your basement and, if the property is old enough, filling it back in with rocks and sand, the preferred drainage material used in modern construction jobs. It also involves installing more French drains along the perimeter of the property so that water can drain away without encountering the foundation walls or slab.

Exterior Sealants

You also need to excavate your basement to pull this one off, since it involves applying a powerful and durable sealing material to the outside of every basement wall. This is definitely a good way to keep the basement walls safe, but it’s also up to ten times as expensive as the interior alternative.

With so many options and so many scenarios, it’s important to consult with a professional who understands what makes your situation different from any other. At AA Action Waterproofing, we’ve been working on basements for over 27 years, and with stellar records Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau, you can rest assured that our free appraisal will be completely professional.